Sorcerer Supreme at Hogwarts (English Versión)-Chapter 170: "Portals and Peril: A New Term in Times of War"

"Portals and Peril: A New Term in Times of War"

Stephen and his siblings had been busy all week, mostly because he forced them to help him with MagicTech tasks.

They were connecting portals in magical villages, Lúmina Island, and the Ministry. Then, they worked on security improvements, like alchemical golems to defend those areas"very similar to the ones at Hogwarts, but this time, Tony gave them a signature Stark-style twist.

Wanda brought Loki and Harry with her to retrieve the magical creatures from the safe zone of the Forbidden Forest and relocated them to a reserve on Flamel Island. Obviously, the Chief Niffler and his minions would have gone wild if left loose on an island with a mansion full of alchemical tools capable of destroying an entire magical village with ease, so they were placed in a semi-enclosed area.

Natasha seemed eager to go looking for Alec Vallois, but with no leads on his location, it was pointless.

In the end, the remaining families who had yet to move to Flamel Island finished building their homes and relocated without a second thought.

With a partial sense of security"since there had been no attacks from the muggle side"schools began receiving students. Naturally, all of them were at the highest level of security and equipped with new protective barriers.

Not everyone agreed with sending their children to school during such dangerous times, but it was necessary. Children needed to learn how to defend themselves in case war broke out.

Fortunately, Amelia removed the rule that forced students to travel via the Hogwarts Express, allowing them to use portals to go directly to Hogsmeade and then to Hogwarts.

Speaking of portals, at first they drew a lot of attention, but thanks to MagicTech, everyone quickly got used to them. This company constantly launched new spells and tech advancements that were initially baffling, but now, each innovation was met with a:

"Wow, MagicTech did it again!"

That was exactly what Stephen had wanted from the start: for people to get used to magical advancement.

Maybe due to the confinement, new inventors started to emerge. Even if they couldn't directly copy MagicTech's technology, they were inspired by it.

This caused a bit of chaos"there was no longer a limit on mixing muggle objects with magic. Although muggle weapons remained prohibited, one could say that martial law pushed magical technology forward by at least fifty years.

After all, they say that in times of war, humanity makes the greatest progress.

...…..

"Don't you think it's stupid we have to go to classes when a whole magical school literally disappeared because of the muggles?" said Ron, annoyed.

"They were attacked by surprise. The schools are now prepared for any muggle attack. There's even talk of magical spies being sent to monitor the military," replied Hermione quickly.

"Stephen says we're in a kind of cold war. The first attacks were the work of dark wizards who wanted to expose the magical world. But now some governments are already talking with magical representatives from their countries," said Harry, as he walked toward the castle with his friends.

"Do you think there'll be a war?" asked Ron, a bit scared. "Muggles have started wars over way less…"

"Hey, so have wizards," Hermione snapped back, a bit defensive. "Remember the last war."

"You know what I meant…" muttered Ron, feeling slightly guilty.

"By the way, why don't I see your brothers?" asked Hermione.

"Stephen and Wanda graduated earlier. Well, actually, they were invited to," answered Harry.

"Tony and Loki arrived before us with our grandparents and Natasha. They were helping Grandpa Nico create protection barriers at Hogwarts," he added.

"Wait, Stephen and Wanda graduated? Why? Didn't they have one year left, same as the twins?" asked Ron, surprised.

"Yeah, but Stephen was helping the new Minister, Amelia Bones. He needed to move freely without being seen as a student"though I'm not sure exactly what he was working on. Wanda just took the opportunity," said Harry.

The students took their seats in the Great Hall. Harry searched for a familiar face among the professors.

And then he saw him: Stephen smiling cheerfully at him from the staff table. Beside him, Wanda waved somewhat awkwardly.

"Hey, Harry!"

"Four-eyes!" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Harry felt a déjà vu as he made his way to his seat.

"Didn't you say they were working with the Ministry?" asked Hermione, looking at Stephen and Wanda laughing at their surprised faces.

"They were supposed to…" muttered Harry.

Then Dumbledore began to speak, and the hall fell silent.

"Dear students, welcome once again to Hogwarts. Tonight, as in so many years before, we gather in the Great Hall to begin a new school year. But this year, history watches us with attentive eyes, for we live in times of uncertainty and shadow.

Tensions between wizards and muggles have reached a point where cold indifference may soon turn into blazing conflict. And yet, here we are"together"under this enchanted ceiling, ready to learn, grow, and share the magic that binds us.

War"any war"is a test of the spirit, a question that history poses about who we are and what we stand for. I say this to you now, and I hope you remember my words when the world seems uncertain: true strength does not lie in the wand we wield, but in the decision of when and why to raise it.

Bravery is not measured in the duels we fight, but in the ability to defend peace when it is still possible.

This castle is more than stone and spells; it is a refuge for knowledge, understanding, and hope. While you are here, I challenge you to learn not only the enchantments that may change the world"but the reasons why you must.

So, before the feasts and the studies begin, I leave you with a task far more important than any Transfiguration exam: think, reason, and remember that fear should never dictate our actions"not now, not ever."

When he finished, Dumbledore added:

"Now, I would also like to welcome a few people you already know. Stephen Flamel will be in charge of security, evacuation planning, and magical control"sent by the Ministry to help keep the students safe.

This position was specially created to ensure student evacuation in case of emergency."

Stephen greeted them calmly.

"Let's also give a round of applause to Wanda Flamel. She insisted on being Stephen's assistant," Dumbledore added with an amused tone.

The truth was, Wanda wasn't needed, but she insisted so much on joining Hogwarts that Dumbledore, knowing how powerful she was (even more than himself), accepted. Having both siblings improved the castle's security on many levels.

"Now, please, eat at ease," he finished.

Meanwhile, Harry, Ron, and Hermione started talking as food appeared in front of everyone.

"So your whole family's staying at Hogwarts," Ron said with a teasing smile.

"Technically, it doesn't change much. Stephen and Wanda were already doing the same thing before," Hermione replied.

"It's different. Now they have power over the students," Harry said, feeling a chill.

"It's not like they're going to abuse that power, right?" Hermione asked with a smile.

"Then you don't know my siblings after all this time," Harry replied.

"Hey, look at the bright side. With your whole family at Hogwarts, it's the safest school in the entire magical world," Ron said quickly, helping his friend.

"And the most chaotic too," Harry added with a smile.

⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯

After dinner, all the students went to their rooms while chatting about what was happening in the magical world.

"I heard all squibs are now total outcasts in the magical world. I mean, even more than before," George said quickly as he approached Harry and the others.

"Is that why we haven't seen Filch since we got here?" Fred asked, appearing from the other side.

"They're right. What could've happened to Filch?" Hermione asked quickly, realizing it.

"He probably joined the other traitor squibs. That guy seems to hate wizards"I still don't know how they let him stay at Hogwarts," Ron said quickly, with a bit of anger, remembering the evil caretaker.

"Nope. Filch is fine. He's actually working for us," Stephen said, appearing behind them and watching them with interest.

"Stephen! Didn't you say you were going to work at the Ministry?" Harry asked quickly, seeing his brother.

"I am. I'm protecting the future of the magical world. An important job," Stephen said quickly, with a proud smile.

"And Wanda?" Hermione asked quickly.

"Oh, her. She just wanted to be a teacher, but she's terrible at teaching, so I told her to become the new Filch," Stephen said with a mocking smile.

"And she agreed?" Fred asked curiously.

"Of course not. She's an idiot, but not… well, she is an idiot. But she didn't agree. So she annoyed the old man into letting her become something like an assistant to the professors," Stephen said quickly. "Dumbledore agreed easily. After all, she, like me, is pretty strong. Basically, you guys got superpowered guards. Cool for you, right?"

"Yeah, sure," Harry said sarcastically.

"Stephen, do you know anything about the Muggle world? Ever since martial law started, we've kind of lost connection. Even our Magicphones can't find any info," Hermione said quickly.

"Well… sigh... Several Ministries of Magic decided to try a more peaceful approach and set up meetings with Muggle governments. But the Muggles wanted to impose their own terms, saying that wizards living in their territories are citizens of their countries."

"And what happened?" Ron asked.

"They started accusing the magical Ministries of tax evasion, violating international laws, and a bunch of other stuff… Before the meetings could go anywhere, both sides ended up throwing accusations. Even so, the magical world is at a disadvantage... After all, there are way fewer wizards than Muggles," Stephen explained seriously.

"So, the war..." Harry began quickly.

"It won't happen," Stephen interrupted him firmly. "The attacks we saw at the beginning were promoted by another faction. Dark wizards took control of Muggles in high positions and orchestrated those attacks. But that also put us in a delicate position… Now governments know that wizards can control Muggles or erase their memories."

"Is it possible that the captured dark wizards are being used to find out our weaknesses?" Hermione asked with concern.

"Very possible," Stephen affirmed, crossing his arms.

"How would they do that?" Ron asked quickly.

"Well…" Stephen hesitated, unsure whether to explain.

"They'll dissect them," Hermione said quickly, her expression a mix of anger and sadness.

"That's possible," Stephen added in a grim tone. "That's why the magical world is starting to form alliances with magical creatures all over the world. It's obvious that if the Muggles start a war, no one will come out unscathed. Let's hope it doesn't come to that… because it would be like a new world war."

Then he began walking away as he spoke.

"Go get some rest. Don't worry… Even if there is a war, as long as we're around, nothing will happen to the students," he said calmly, though his expression remained serious.

"The worst part is that even within the magical world, there's division. Some Ministries still push for peace and negotiation, but others are starting to think that war is inevitable… even desirable. They believe it's the only way to defend our culture and hold back Muggle encroachment. They think giving ground diplomatically is just slowly surrendering. And those groups are gaining support, especially among wizards who fear losing their identity" Stephen thought, his eyes filled with frustration.